U.S. patent number 4,248,162 [Application Number 06/060,895] was granted by the patent office on 1981-02-03 for table with electrostatic air purifier/cleaner.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to S. Merrill Skeist.
United States Patent |
4,248,162 |
Skeist |
February 3, 1981 |
Table with electrostatic air purifier/cleaner
Abstract
A table having a table top having a top surface. Grilles are
provided in the table top and are in flow communication with an
electrostatic precipitator for purifying the air. The electrostatic
precipitator collects the smoke particles on a filter, the clean,
filtered air being discharged at low velocity back into the room.
This table equipped with air cleaner and filter prevents smoke
generated by smokers and in ashtrays from diffusing throughout the
room by capturing the smoke close to the source of the
impurities.
Inventors: |
Skeist; S. Merrill (Glenhead,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Spellman High Voltage Electronics
Corporation (Plainview, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22032414 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/060,895 |
Filed: |
July 26, 1979 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.13;
454/230; 55/385.1; 454/188; 96/60; 108/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
37/00 (20130101); F24F 7/00 (20130101); A47B
13/08 (20130101); F24F 8/192 (20210101); B08B
15/007 (20130101); A47B 2200/06 (20130101); F24F
8/97 (20210101); Y02A 50/20 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
13/08 (20060101); A47B 37/00 (20060101); F24F
3/16 (20060101); F24F 7/00 (20060101); B08B
15/00 (20060101); A47B 013/16 (); A47B 037/00 ();
F24F 003/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;55/101,128,385R,385A,385C,DIG.18,DIG.29 ;108/50,161 ;98/33A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lacey; David L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Goldfarb; Kenneth S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A table comprising a table top, said table having knee recesses
so as to permit people to sit therearound to work and play, plenum
chamber positioned below and connected to said table top,
electrostatic precipitator means mounted in said plenum chamber,
said table top having air entry grille means opening into the top
surface thereof and in flow communication with said plenum chamber
for capturing air containing tobacco smoke particles, fan means for
directing the smoke particle laden air into said plenum chamber and
through said electrostatic precipitator means and diffuser means
for recirculating cleaned air at low velocity from said plenum
chamber to the area in which the table is located.
2. The table according to claim 1, wherein said grille means
includes recesses for receiving and supporting ashtrays to capture
smoke close to its source.
3. The table according to claim 1, wherein said grille means
extends about said table top adjacent the periphery thereof.
4. The table according to claim 1, wherein said grille means is
located at each corner of said table top.
5. The table according to claim 1, wherein said grille means
extends transverse of said table top.
6. The table according to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic
precipitator means is suspended from and below said table top.
7. The table according to claim 1, wherein said grille means
includes intersecting grille members, some of which have higher
positioned portions so that ashtrays, tumblers, chips, and various
other articles can be placed therein without closing off said
grille means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a table equipped with air purification
means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An indoor air cleaning device is useful in many social situations
where normal air circulation cannot exchange air rapidly enough to
eliminate increased concentrations of tobacco smoke odor and
particulates. Electrostatic precipitators have been used in
conjunction with fans in auxiliary recirculation systems to remove
smoke and odors, returning the scrubbed air to the room. U.S. Pat.
No. 3,421,290 is an example wherein an electrostatic precipitator
is mounted in the ceiling of a bowling alley, the cleansed air
being returned by a duct to a remote location in the same ceiling.
A similar system has been applied to cooking ranges and ovens as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,132 and its predecessors wherein
precipitators are mounted above or to the side of the cooking
utensils in the oven or on the range, thereby removing odors and
evaporated grease close to the source and recirculating the
cleansed air. An electrostatic precipitator is included in a
television cabinet in U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,031 to remove smoke in
the vicinity of the television set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Electronic air cleaners are capable of removing a high percentage
of airborne particulates, pollen, tobacco, smoke, grease, etc.
However, prior to the present invention no such devices were
designed to operate close to the source of tobacco smoke in rooms
where people meet, sit, work, play, and congregate. Ashtrays are
placed close to smokers, usually on work tables, conference tables
or desks. The present invention locates the electrostatic
precipitator and air recirculation means within the table or desk
about which smokers sit, captures smoke and other pollutants close
to the source and eliminates them before they have a chance to
disperse widely. The recirculated cleansed air is discharged at low
velocity through diffusers. The advantages of this invention is
that the entry ports, grilles, are innocuous, a part of the table
or horizontal work surface, and is readily installed in new or
existing furniture and can support ashtrays, tumblers, chips, or
like articles in a convenient manner. Structural alterations to the
room and unsightly and expensive duct work are not required. The
proximity of the air cleaner to the source minimizes the volume of
air to be recirculated, with equipment of small size, low noise
level for the required efficacy. The use of this invention prevents
smoke filled rooms and uses a minimum of energy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention
with parts broken away and shown in section;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 1 showing the
location of the grilles on the table top;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a desk showing grille location;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane of line 4--4 in
FIG. 3; and,
FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of another grille embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like
reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various
views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a table according
to the present invention which includes a table top 11, in which
are placed attractively designed grilles 12, which open into a
chamber or plenum 13, into which air is drawn by a fan 14 through
the electrostatic precipitator filter 15. The precipitator 15 is
mounted on a channel 6 which permits easy withdrawal for cleaning.
The high voltage power supply 7 for the precipitator is shown
mounted to the underside of the plenum though it may also be
mounted inside the plenum. An air diffuser 8 returns the cleansed
air to the room at low velocity. The top view of the table in FIG.
2 shows one arrangement of many possible locations of the air
intake grilles 12 which are located at the corners of the table top
11.
In a desk 20, FIG. 3, where the work surface is at the front, a
larger grille 22 can be located to the rear with other intake
grilles 24 on each side. For the desk 20 air discharge is through
the rear panel 28 (FIG. 4) via an air diffuser 32. The fan 34 and
electrostatic precipitator 36 are disposed towards the rear to
provide knee room and space for a drawer 38.
Thus this invention provides for the capture of smoke and
particulates by the electrostatic precipitator filter 36 as air is
drawn through it by the fan 34. Power for precipitator and fan is
brought thereto by a conventional electric line cord 40. A
convenience outlet 42 is included for the usual table lamp or desk
lamp and other electrical appliances.
As shown in FIG. 1, the grille 12 includes members 60 which extend
transverse of members 62 and extend higher so that ashtrays or
other articles can be placed therein without blocking intake of
smoke laden air.
The versions of the invention described disclose fully the concept
and embodiment of the invention. Other designs and forms are
readily feasible such as the peripheral grille 50 in FIG. 5 placed
close to the peripheral edge 52 of table top 54.
In addition to electrostatic precipitation, odor control may be
provided together with a fragrance dispenser. Climate control such
as heating or cooling may be used and a disinfectant or activated
carbon may be employed.
* * * * *